



























































































































































































































































































































































Class (- T V 14-11 

Book.- _ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 


















SUCCESSFUL 

SOCIALS 


-BY- 

Mrs. Edward P. Gates 






UNITED SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR 

BOSTON CHICAGO 















Copyright, 1921, 

By The United Society of Christian Endeavor 



/ 

AUG 31 1921 


§) Cl. A 6 2 414 3 


INTRODUCTION 


The outlines for socials offered in this book 
are the result of ten years’ experience in striv¬ 
ing to meet the recreation needs of young peo¬ 
ple. An effort has been made to give, not 
merely a collection of games, but a series of 
carefully worked-out programmes, each con¬ 
taining sufficient material for an entire eve¬ 
ning’s entertainment. 

Suggestions for games have been gathered 
from various sources and credit is given 
wherever the original source is known. Thanks 
are due to The Modern Priscilla for permission 
to reprint some of the socials which originally 
appeared in that magazine. 


Estella Gates. 








Table of Contents 


Page 

The Congress of Winds.9 

A Nutty Social .15 

A Musical Mix-up.23 

The County Fair.31 

Around the World in Eighty Minutes . . . 39 / 

A Leap-Year Party.45 

Day-sy Social.51 

Harvest, Corn or Thanksgiving Social . . .57 

Shamrock Party.63 

Valentine Social.69 

Trip to Chicago.75 

Christmas Social.85 

Discovery Party.91 

Hallowe’en Social.97 

Spring or Bunny Party.105 

Patriotic Party.113 


Index of Games . 
Classified List of Games 


. 121 
. 125 












































































































































































































































































































































































































THE CONGRESS OF WINDS 












THE CONGRESS OF WINDS 


Invitations for this windy affair may read as follows: 

I’m but a gentle little breeze, 

Just learning how to blow, 

And I have come to tell you, please, 

That on the date below 
The winds will have a party, 

With fun, and song, and din. 

We hope that on that evening, 

You’ll be certain to “blow in.” 

Friday, March 23 
At the home of . 

Fans, toy balloons of various colors, and tissue-paper 
streamers kept in motion by an electric fan may be in¬ 
cluded among the decorations. 

Give to each guest on entering a small horn, whistle, 
or similar noise-making instrument, with instructions 
that he is to “blow his own horn” all evening. 

Brag and Blow 

Form the company into two lines, seated, facing each 
other, with about six inches of space between the lines. 
At the word “go,” each person introduces himself to 

9 



10 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


the one seated opposite, and then starts to ‘ blow” about 
himself and his accomplishments as enthusiastically as 
possible. At the end of one minute, the bell rings, and 
the players in one row move down one seat, the person 
displaced at the end running to the head of the row and 
occupying the seat thereby vacated. The game then 
proceeds as before. After each member of one line has 
thus been introduced to all persons in the other, a vote 
should be taken as to the person who has been most 
successful in “Blowing” about himself, but contrary to 
expectations, the prize should be awarded to the player 
who secures the least number of votes, and is therefore 
considered the most modest. 

Whirlwind 

This is an old game, but one which will provide plenty 
of fun. The guests are seated in a circle, with the ex¬ 
ception of one player, who stands in the centre. There 
is one vacant chair, and the object of the centre player 
is to occupy this chair. The others seek to prevent this, 
however, by hurriedly moving to the right or left and 
thus filling the empty seat as the player in the ring 
approaches it. 


Egg Football 

Six or more of the contestants may play this game at 
one time. Seat the players on opposite sides of a narrow 
table, an equal number on each side. With a needle, 
punch a hole in each end of an egg, blow out the con¬ 
tents, and place the empty egg-shell in the centre of the 
table. At the signal, both teams start to blow. The ob¬ 
ject of the game is to blow the egg-shell over the other 
team s end of the table. This scores a goal and counts 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


11 


six points. Four quarters of two minutes each are played, 
with thirty seconds between each quarter to allow the 
players to catch their breath. Players must keep their 
hands beneath the table and must not touch the egg in 
any way. 


Bubble-Blowing Contests 

Nothing is more real fun than to go back to the days 
of childhood and once more indulge in the joys of 
bubble-blowing. Give each player a pipe and provide an 
abundance of good soapsuds. Add a little glycerine to 
the soapsuds. Among the games which may be played 
are: 

Bubble Volley Ball. The company is divided into 
two groups separated by two parallel strings stretched 
two feet apart down the centre of the room. The object 
of the game is to cause the bubbles to break on the 
opponents’ side. Bubbles which break in the space be¬ 
tween the two strings do not count for either side. 

Lung Test. A simple prize may be awarded to the 
person who succeeds in blowing the largest bubble. 

Hit the Target. Paint a target on a sheet of papet 
and suspend it at one side of the room. Contestants 
should stand six feet from the target, blow their bubbles 
in turn and try to throw them so as to strike the target 
Score should be kept. 

Feather Tennis. Divide the contestants into two 
groups separated by a chalk line. Each player should 
be provided with a palm-leaf fan. Toss a feather 
into the air and let the players bat it from one to 
another with their fans. The object of the game is tc 


12 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


keep the feather from touching the floor on one’s own 
side of the line and to force it to the floor on the 
opponents’ side. 


Endurance Contest 

The evening’s programme may be brought to a fitting 
close with this contest which requires two players, pref¬ 
erably young ladies. At the word “go” each contestant 
starts talking as rapidly as possible at the top of her 
voice. No credit is given for what is said, but the win¬ 
ner is the one who can keep up a steady stream of con¬ 
versation for the longest time. 

Of course, a “regular blow-out” will be served foi 
refreshments. 


A NUTTY SOCIAL 
































A NUTTY SOCIAL 


R hole 

NUTTY FAMILY 
invite u 2 r 
NUTTY SOSHUL 

Friday, April first 
At the home of . 

Sined: 

P. Nut 

W. A. L. Nut 
Grape Nut 
Hazel Nut 
Ches. Nut 
Koko Nut 

P. S. Chicken Dinner—B sure 2 kum. 


An invitation, similar to the above displayed on posters 
or written on cards and sent personally to the young 
people whose presence is especially desired, is sure to 
arouse interest. Guests will come, both out of curi¬ 
osity and also because of an interest in the chicken 
dinner referred to in the postscript. 

While this party is suggested as an entertainment 
for All-Fools’ Day, it can readily be adapted to any 

15 



16 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


other season of the year. Nearly all the games are 
equally appropriate for fall or winter. 

If the social is held in the fall, decorate with autumn 
leaves and branches. If the party is to be an April- 
Fool’s celebration, however, the decoration may be 
a little more fanciful. 

Raincoats and umbrellas may be hung on the walls. 
A large clock should be placed in plain view, on which 
the minute and hour hands have been exchanged. 
Signs, such as “Keep off the Grass,” “Beware of the 
Paint,” “No Dogs Allowed,” may be posted at inter¬ 
vals. A handkerchief fastened securely to the floor 
will afford much amusement to the bystanders, as one 
person after another tries to pick it up. 

As each guest enters, he should be greeted heartily 
by a member of the reception committee, who will 
shake his left hand violently and assure him, “We are 
so sorry you came.” 

Secure, in advance of the social, a quantity of nuts 
of five or six different kinds, such as pecans, almonds, 
peanuts, walnuts, hazel nuts, and hickory nuts. Give a 
nut to each guest as he enters, with instructions to 
keep it until further notice. Be sure to give out an 
equal number of each variety of nut, so that at the 
proper time, the guests may be divided into “nut fami¬ 
lies” of equal size. 


Matching Hearts 

Announce that the first game on the programme will 
be to match hearts for partners. Give to each guest 
one-half of a paper heart, numbered, and instruct him 
to search until he finds a partner with a half heart 
bearing the same number. After a few minutes of 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


17 


earnest, but vain search for partners among the ladies 
of the party, the men will discover that each has been 
matched with a partner of his own sex, and the girls 
will make the same sad discovery. 

The “Silly” Game 

By this time, the company should be ready for the 
“Silly” game. Form the guests into two lines, facing 
each other, about five feet apart. Name one group the 
“nuts” and the other group the ’’crackers.” The leader 
should stand midway between the two lines and toss a 
paper duncecap into the air. If the cap falls with the 
tip pointing toward the “nuts” each member of this side 
will burst into hearty laughter while all of the “Crack¬ 
ers” maintain a mournful expression. When the tip 
points toward the “Crackers,” however, they will laugh 
in the same way, while the “nuts” endeavor to retain 
their dignity. The object of the game is to induce mem¬ 
bers of the opposite side to laugh out of turn, where¬ 
upon they are transferred to the opposing team. 

Now is the time to divide the company into “fam¬ 
ilies.” The guests should be instructed to group them¬ 
selves according to the variety of nut given them at the 
beginning of the social, and in the following games the 
groups should compete against each other. 

Foolish Advertisements 

Introduce first an exhibit of pictures cut from well- 
known advertisements. Mount each picture on card¬ 
board, and under the picture write the slogan of some 
other advertisement. For example, the magic words, 
“It floats,” may appear under a picture of a safety 


18 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


razor. “Children Cry for It,” might be given as the 
title of a complexion cream, and “Why Envy a Good 
Complexion?” could be inscribed under a picture of the 
Gold-Dust Twins. Let the nut families compete in 
guessing the correct titles for the pictures. As soon as 
a player thinks he has guessed a correct title he will re¬ 
port it to the leader of the game who will keep score by 
families and with an appropriate speech award a peanut 
to each member of the family scoring the largest num¬ 
ber of correct guesses in five minutes. 

If the number of guests is large, a series of pro¬ 
gressive games may now be played by the different fam¬ 
ilies. There should be a leader for each game and the 
groups will pass from one leader to another until each 
group has played every game. In case the company is 
small, however, and there are not enough guests to make 
the grouping desirable, the entire company may join in 
each game at the same time. Among the games which 
may be played are the following: 

1. Dressing the Family. Give each member of the 
group a peanut, a small supply of tissue paper, and a 
few pins. Recognition should be given to the person 
who can produce the most attractively dressed nut in 
five minutes. This game will be more interesting if one 
person is required to dress the baby, another the father, 
another the mother, another big sister, and so on. 

2. Nutty Exchange. The group should be divided 
into two groups, facing each other. At one end of each 
line should be placed a dozen peanuts, and at the other, 
a dozen walnuts. At a signal from the leader, each line 
will start to pass the walnuts to the peanut end of the 
line, and the peanuts to the walnut end. That side wins 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


19 


which first succeeds in getting all its nuts properly 
transferred. 

3. One-Hand Grab. A large dish of all varieties 
of nuts should be placed on the table and each person 
in turn should be given an opportunity to grab as many 
nuts as he can hold in grasping. Different values should 
be assigned to the different varieties of nuts. For ex¬ 
ample, peanuts may count one point, walnuts two 
points, almonds ten points, and so forth. 

4. Peanut Stab. The peanuts should be placed on 
a flat dish*or pie-pan, and one minute should be al 
lowed to the contestant in which to spear as many nuts 
as possible on a hatpin. Only one hand may be used 
and the nuts must not be touched with the fingers 
Only the nuts remaining on the hatpin at the end of the 
minute will count in the score. 

5. Nutty Zoo. Provide wax chewing gum, tooth¬ 
picks, and a bowl of nuts. Allow five minutes in which the 
members of the group may construct animals for the 
zoo. Some very wonderful creations will be the result 

After these group games the guests will be ready for 
one or two ring games in which the entire company may 
take part. Let all the players form a circle. While 
some one plays the piano a nut may be passed from 
hand to hand around the circle. At frequent but irreg¬ 
ular intervals, the music should stop. The player so 
unfortunate as to be caught with the nut in his pos¬ 
session when the music ceases must drop out of the 
circle. The game then proceeds as before, until only 
one player is left. 

After such an active programme, there will be fre¬ 
quent demands for the “chicken dinner” referred to in 


20 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


the invitations to the social, and this should now be 
served with much ceremony. The hostess should an¬ 
nounce that not only is this to be a chicken dinner, but 
that it is also the dinner of a chicken, whereupon to 
each guest will be served a few grains of corn and a 
small quantity of bread crumbs. After the merriment 
over this surprise has subsided, the real refreshments 
of the evening may be served. 


A MUSICAL MIX-UP 












A MUSICAL MIX-UP 


This social is appropriate for any season of the year 
and for a crowd of almost any size. It will be found 
particularly useful in cases where it is necessary to en¬ 
tertain a group of mixed ages, some young people who 
prefer games of a lively nature, and others of more 
advanced years who wish to enjoy themselves more 
quietly. 


Sliced Songs 

A simple means of getting the guests acquainted is 
to typewrite the words of several well-known songs on 
sheets of paper, cut each sheet into several sections and 
give a piece to each person on arrival, with instruc¬ 
tions to find those holding the other parts of the same 
song. If preferred, each guest may whistle the tune of 
his song, and in this way identify himself and the other 
members of his group. As soon as groups have been 
formed in this way, and time has been given for brief 
introductions, each group should sing its song. A bou- 
quette of paper flowers may be awarded to the group 
rendering its selection most effectively. 

The Musical Wand 

For this game, the entire company should be gathered 
in a large circle. As the piano plays, a wand should be 
passed from one person to another around the circle. 
At unexpected moments the person at the piano will 

23 


24 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


cease playing, and the player who holds the wand at the 
time when the music stops must drop out of the circle. 
This game may continue until one by one all the play¬ 
ers have been eliminated. In the meantime, those who 
have dropped out may start playing the game of 

Ring the Bell 

Hang three small bells by strings in an open door¬ 
way. Divide the company into two groups, and let 
players take turns in endeavoring to hit the bells with 
a small rubber ball. Players should stand ten feet 
from the doorway and toss the ball gently. Each bell 
should count a different number of points. Striking 
one bell should count five points, another ten, and the 
third fifteen. Each player should be given three throws 
and if he succeeds in hitting a bell at each throw, his 
total score should be doubled. Score should be kept 
by sides, and the losing side should be required to sing 
a song for the entertainment of the winners. 

The Silent Orchestra 

Any number of persons may play this game. To each 
person is given the name of some musical instrument, 
and as the director of the orchestra leads, the players 
must go through the motions required in playing the 
instruments to which they have been assigned. Sud¬ 
denly, however, the director will start to make the 
motions of playing one of the instruments in his or¬ 
chestra. The player of that instrument must immedi¬ 
ately cease to play and remain motionless until the 
leader either resumes directing or makes the motions 
of some other instrument. A forfeit must be paid by 
any player who fails to do this. 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


25 


Musical Relay 

Four young men and four young ladies are required 
for this game. Station the men at one side of the room 
and the girls at the opposite side. Give to each young 
man a folded slip of paper on which has been written 
the name of a popular song. Give to each young lady 
a blank slip of paper and a lead pencil. At the word 
‘ go” each young man runs to the girl to whom he has 
been assigned, reads to himself the name of the song 
on his slip of paper, and endeavors to whistle it to the 
girl. She listens carefully and writes on her blank slip 
of paper the name of the song which she thinks he is 
whistling. Her partner thereupon runs back with her 
slip to the starting point. The winner is the first young 
man to return with the correct name of his song written 
on his slip. 


The Hairmonica 

Eight girls and one man are required for this game. 
The musical staff should be painted on a large sheet, 
and notes should be indicated for each line and space. 
At the base of each note, a hole should be cut in the 
sheet. Hang the sheet at one end of the room. The 
young man should then be introduced as Professor 
Kanplayski and should enter the room wearing a long 
coat, a wig of long, flowing hair, and a long beard. He 
should explain in broken English the wonders of his 
marvelous new invention, the harmonica. After a brief 
talk, he will announce his players, and the eight girls 
will file into the room, each with her hair hanging down 
her back in a long braid. The young ladies will take 
their places behind the sheet and seemingly will push 
their braids of hair through the holes in the notes. In 


26 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


reality, each girl will carry with her a braid of false 
hair and it is these braids which the audience sees hang¬ 
ing on the screen. The “professor” announces the name 
of his selection and then proceeds to play the “hairmon- 
ica” by pulling the braids one after another, while the 
chorus behind the screen sings the song. 

Motion Songs 

This very amusing game consists in following the 
motions of a leader as he acts out the words of some 
well-known song which all join in singing. “The Old 
Oaken Bucket” and “There’s a Long, Long Trail” are 
especially adapted to this game. Novel motions will 
suggest themselves to every leader, but the following 
suggestions will apply to the “Old Oaken Bucket” : ~ 

How dear ( leader hugs himself) to my heart ( hand 
on heart) 

Are the scenes ( hand shading eyes) of my child¬ 
hood ( hand on head of imaginary small child), 

When fond recollection ( hand on forehead) pre¬ 
sents ( both hands outstretched) them to view 
(hands as if holding opera glasses) ; 

The orchard ( point with right hand), the meadow 
(point with left hand), the deep ( point down) 
tangled ( revolve hands) wildwood, 

And every loved spot ( pretend to rub spot from 

_ coat) that mine infancy ( motion of rocking 

baby) knew. 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


27 


The cot ( pretend to go to sleep) of my father, the 
dairy ( motion of using a churn) house nigh it, 

And e’en the rude bucket ( fingers of both hands 
touching as if around a bucket) that hung 
(fingers around neck) in the well ( look down 
into the well). 

The old oaken bucket, 

The iron-bound ( draw circle in the air) bucket, 

The moss-covered ( stroke imaginary moustache) 
bucket 

That hung in the well. 

All who take part in the game must sing heartily 
and follow exactly the motions of the leader. Anyone 
who fails to do this, or who laughs during the song, 
must pay a forfeit. 

Illustrated Songs 

Give each guest a paper plate and one or two colored 
crayons and request each one to draw a picture illustrat¬ 
ing a popular song. Number the plates, hang them 
around the room, and allow fifteen minutes for the 
players to write on slips of paper the name of the song 
which they think each picture represents. A simple 
prize should be awarded to the player guessing the larg¬ 
est number of titles, and also to the artist whose pic¬ 
ture is correctly guessed by the largest number. 

The evening may properly close with a short pro¬ 
gramme of musical selections. 











THE COUNTY FAIR 



THE COUNTY FAIR 


Here is a social that is appropriate for almost any 
season of the year. The programme is equally adapt¬ 
able for the entertainment of a small group or a large 
company of several hundred. 

The rooms where the county fair is held should be 
decorated to resemble out-of-doors. Branches of trees, 
pictures of out-of-door scenes, paper flowers, and sim¬ 
ilar decorations, can be combined very effectively. An 
attractive new moon may be contsructed by cutting a 
crescent from yellow tissue paper, applying paste lightly 
around its edges, and placing it in the center of a sheet 
of blue tissue-paper. Fasten this over an electric light, 
like a bag, first cutting the blue paper from underneath 
the yellow. 

Booths, in which to display the various attractions of 
the fair, should be constructed around the sides of the 
room. These may be made of sheets or draperies hung 
on wires or supported by poles. On the outside of each 
booth should be advertised as gayly as possible the at¬ 
tractions to be found within. Posters should be dis¬ 
played, extravagantly worded, and decorated with 
appropriate pictures cut from magazines. 

Similar posters to advertise the affair should be dis¬ 
played prominently for several weeks in advance of the 
social. In addition, personal invitations should be sent 
to all those whose presence is especially desired. These 

31 


32 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


latter should be attractively worded and may be dec¬ 
orated with suitable illustrations. 

One style of poster for use in advertising the county 
fair might read as follows: 

k o m E 
to the 

KOUNTY FAIR 

Visit the most stupendous aggregation of 
komical kreatures 
in 

KAPTIVITY 

See: Hear: Enjoy: 

The Sea-Cow 
Prize Pumpkin 
One-Ring Circus 
Nickel Show 
Merry-Go-Round 
Deep Sea Monsters 
Face That Cannot Smile 
Ballon Ascension 
Etc., etc. 


Place . 

Date . 

Those guests who come early should be directed, upon 
entering, to a corner of the room labeled “Konfidence 
Korner.” 

Here an enthusiastic leader should group the players 
into two circles, one circle inside the other, each player 
on the inside circle facing a player on the outside circle. 
At a signal from the leader the persons on the inside 




SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


33 


circle introduce themselves to the players opposite them 
on the outside circle, and then attempt to carry on a 
one-minute conversation upon some topic announced by 
the leader. At the end of one minute the leader rings 
a bell, and the inner circle moves two steps to the right, 
bringing each person opposite a new partner. The game 
then proceeds as before, but with a different topic for 
conversation. Many topics of conversation will sug¬ 
gest themselves: such as “The funniest experience of 
my life”; “My favorite kind of pie, and why.” 

While the guests are gathering, and throughout the 
evening, frequent musical selections should be rendered 
by the “band.” The members of the band should be 
adorned with paper hats and large card-board medals. 
The leader of the band should have long hair and be 
very energetic in his direction of the music. It is not 
necessary, however, that the players should be expert 
musicians, as they will simply make the motions in¬ 
volved in playing their respective instruments, while 
the actual music is supplied by a phonograph concealed 
behind the bandstand. A few chairs should be arranged 
around the bandstand for those who wish to rest while 
listening to the music. 

Each booth should be numbered and tickets should 
be prepared in advance listing the different numbers in 
the order in which the booths are to be visited. These 
tickets should be prepared in sets, so arranged that not 
more than ten or a dozen persons will be admitted to a 
booth at one time. It will simplify matters if each set 
of tickets is on a different color of paper. As soon as 
the guests have gathered, these tickets should be dis¬ 
tributed, and the sight-seers grouped according to the 
booth which they are to visit first. Before starting on 
their sight-seeing tour, each group should select a leader 


34 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


who will assume responsibility for keeping his party 
together and making sure that no one is lost by the way. 

For each booth there should be a “barker” to describe 
as eloquently as possible the attractions to be seen in¬ 
side. There should also be a ticket-taker to punch the 
tickets of the party, and a lecturer inside the booth to 
point out the important features. If necessary, one 
person may, of course, serve in all three capacities. 

\ 

Here are a few attractions which may be visited: 

1. The Museum. A number of interesting objects 
may be displayed here, each one appropriately labeled. 
For example: 

“The First Coat-Hanger.” (A nail.) 

“Ancient Means of Locomotion.” (An old shoe.) 

“The Face that Cannot Smile.” (A watch.) 

“Imported Hand Work.” (Swiss cheese.) 

“Deep-Sea Monsters.” (Can of sardines.) 

“New-Fashioned Bell.” (A wet towel, with an in¬ 
vitation to wring-(ring)-it.) 

2. The Sea-Cow. Here the visitors will be shown 
a small picture of a cow with the letter “C” upon it. 

3. Prize Pumpkin. Take the guests into this booth 
one by one; ask each in turn to look over a railing at 
one end of the booth into a large mirror. After a short 
time it will dawn upon him that he is gazing at a “prize 
pumpkin,” and he will laughingly go out to urge some 
friend to pay a similar visit. 

4. Seeing “The Milky Way” Through a Big Tele¬ 
scope. Visitors are invited to gaze through a large 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


35 


cardboard tube. Upon doing this they find themselves 
looking earnestly at a can of condensed milk. 

5. One-Ring Circus. Immediately upon entering 
this booth the visitors are informed that this is a “one- 
ring” circus, and a forfeit is imposed upon all who are 
wearing more than one ring, and also upon those who 
have no rings at all. The principal feature in this booth 
is the exhibition of the “tumblers.” These turn out to 
be ordinary glass tumblers. 

3. Nickel Show. Upon entering the booth the 
guests are invited to be seated, and informed that the 
show will commence at once. After a time, some keen¬ 
eyed visitor will discover a five-cent piece on the table 
at the front of the booth, and the crowd will pass out 
sheepishly to make room for another group. 

7. The Girl with the Long Hair. This young 
lady’s crowning glory may be made of untwisted rope. 
The lecturer should speak enthusiastically about this 
remarkable growth of hair, and may endeavor to sell 
small bottles of water marked “hair restorer.” 

8. The Woman with Hands on Her Shoulders, 
and the Man with Hands Where His Feet Ought 
To Be. A girl stands behind the woman with her hands 
on the latter’s shoulders. The man wears shoes on his 
hands. A good “barker” will make this side-show very 
attractive. 

9. The Merry-Go-Round. A girl wearing a placard 
on which the name “Mary” has been printed should 
walk around in a circle. 

10. The Fortune-Teller. The person who occu¬ 
pies this booth should be dressed as a gypsy and should 


36 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


offer to tell for a penny the “past, present, and future” 
of any visitor. Upon receiving the penny, she should 
say, “Your past is that you formerly had this penny, 
your present is that you do not have it now, and your 
future, is that you will never see it again.” She there¬ 
upon pockets the coin and invites in the next victim. 

11. The Balloon Ascension. This event may be 
one of the closing features of the programme. An or¬ 
dinary toy rubber balloon can be used, and the ascen¬ 
sion should be preceded by a selection from the band 
and an oration from the manager of the fair. 

Those who lost forfeits in the “one-ring circus” maj 
now be given an opportunity to redeem them by en¬ 
tertaining the company in various ways. 

Lemonade and small bags of popcorn will make excel 
lent refreshments. 

This social is especially useful where some kind of 
money-raising affair is desired. A small admission 
fee can be charged, with an additional charge of a 
penny or two for admission to each booth, for forfeits, 
and for refreshments. 


AROUND THE WORLD 
IN EIGHTY MINUTES 














AROUND THE WORLD IN 
EIGHTY MINUTES 


As invitations for this party use strips of paper, 
printed or written in the form of railroad tickets, some¬ 
what as follows: 


THIS ENTITLES 


to one first-class passage 
AROUND THE WORLD 
Good only for trip starting 
from the 

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

Friday, January 18 

If desired, coupons may be attached, listing the vari¬ 
ous countries to be visited. 

The evening’s programme may be started by playing 

Catching the Train 

Draw a large square on the floor and station the play¬ 
ers in two companies, hands joined, at opposite corners 
of the square. At a signal from the leader both lines 
start running around the square to the right, the leader 
in each line trying to catch the player at the rear of the 
other line. 


39 



40 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


Missionary Spell-down 

Divide the company into two groups and appoint a 
captain for each group. Give to each captain a list of 
twenty questions on missionary subjects, with their an¬ 
swers, and allow him ten minutes in which to teach 
these answers to the members of his side. The lists 
will then be collected and the questions will be asked, 
one at a time, first of one side and then of the other. 
When a player fails to answer a question he must drop 
out of the game, and the question must be asked of the 
next player on the opposing side. Questions like the 
following may be used: 

About what proportion of the earth’s land 
surface is comprised within the continent 
of Africa?—Nearly one-fourth. 

Compare the circumference of the earth 
with that of Africa.—It is as far around 
the coast of Africa as it is around the 
world. 

What portion of the earth’s population 
lives in Africa?—One-eighth. 

How many languages and dialects are 
spoken in Africa?—843 languages and di¬ 
alects. 

What is the average Sunday attendance at 
the Elat Presbyterian Church in West 
Africa and its seven branches?—26,000. 

How many Christians are there in Africa? 

— 10 , 000 , 000 . 

Among what people did David Brainerd 
work?—American Indians. 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


41 


J. A. Burns labored among whom?—Amer¬ 
ican mountain whites. 

Allen Gardiner?—South Americans. 

Marcus Whitman?—Oregon country In¬ 
dians. 

Robert and Mary Moffat?—Africans. 

David Livingstone?—Africans. 

Missionary Mix-up 

The guests should be seated in a circle with one player 
in the centre. Assign to some of the players the names 
of missionaries and to others the names of the mission 
fields where they worked. The player in the centre will 
then call out the names of several missionaries, and 
the persons bearing these names must immediately 
change places with their corresponding fields. In tlie 
confusion, the player in the centre tries to secure a seat, 
and if he succeeds, the person left without a chair must 
take his place. When the phrase “The whole wide 
world” is called, everybody must change places. 

Games of Foreign Countries 

The programme of the evening can be made espe¬ 
cially interesting by playing some of the games of other 
nations. An excellent collection of these games will be 
found in “Children at Play in Many Lands,” published 
by the Missionary Education Movement, New York 
City. Some of the games which follow have been taken 
from this very helpful volume. 


42 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


Eating the Fish’s Tail 

The players take hold of each other by the shoulders, 
thus forming the fish, the first in line being the head, 
and those at the end, the tail. The head swings around 
in an endeavor to catch and “eat” the tail. The tail 
tries to escape. The line must not be broken during 
the game. 


Hana, Kuchi, Mimi, Me 

(Japanese Game) 

The players are seated in a circle on the floor, while 
the leader, tapping her mouth, says, kuchi {mouth) 
kuchi, kuchi, me {eye.) All the players imitate her as 
she taps her mouth, but when she says me (eye), in¬ 
stead of tapping her eye, she touches her ear (mimi) 
or her nose (hana). The game is to do what the leader 
says and not what she does, and this is a very difficult 
matter if the leader moves or speaks quickly. If a 
player makes a mistake, he must take the leader’s place. 

Syrian Motion Game 

The players are seated in a circle on the floor. The 
one chosen to be “it” makes some motion, perhaps, for 
example, taking hold of the ear of the player next to 
him. Each player in turn must follow the same motion. 
If any one laughs or speaks he must drop from the 
game. 


A LEAP-YEAR PARTY 




A LEAP-YEAR PARTY 


While this social, in the form given here, is only ap¬ 
propriate every four years, nearly all of the games can 
be used at valentine parties, or on other occasions. 

Invitations might read as follows: 

WE DARE YOU 

to take a chance. 

LEAP BEFORE YOU LOOK 

February 29, 1924, 

at the home of .. 

Signed: 

Girls’ Vigilance Committee. 

P. S. Not responsible for hearts or other 
valuables unless checked with the man¬ 
agement. 


Autographs and Eyes 

Provide each guest on entering with a red paper heart 
and instruct him to write his name upon it. Since this 
is a leap-year party, each person will be told to wear his 
heart on his sleeve in plain view. Supply everybody 
with pencil and paper and allow ten minutes for intro- 

45 



46 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


duction and conversation. During this time, each guest 
will try to secure as long a list of autographs as pos¬ 
sible, writing opposite each name the color of the 
owner’s eyes. When time is called, a simple prize should 
be awarded to the girl with the longest list of names. 
Another prize should be given to the man whose name 
appears on the smallest number of lists and who there¬ 
fore is assumed to have defended himself most suc¬ 
cessfully against feminine wiles. The success of this 
game depends upon keeping secret the basis upon which 
the prizes will be awarded. 

Imaginary Proposals 

Supply the guests with paper and pencil. Ask each 
girl to write a proposal to some imaginary ideal. In¬ 
struct each man to write an acceptance or refusal. 
Collect the sheets, shuffle, and re-distribute. Then 
have them read alternately—first a proposal and then 
an acceptance or refusal. 

Hunt for Husband 

Cut out a large number of paper men about two inches 
high and conceal them in all parts of the house. Allow 
ten minutes for the hunt and award a prize to the girl 
finding the largest number. 

While the girls are busy hunting for husbands, it is 
quite appropriate that the men shall be preparing for 
permanent bachelorhood by engaging in a needle¬ 
threading contest. Give each player five needles and a 
long piece of thread, and present the prize to the man 
who first succeeds in threading all five needles. 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


47 


Serious Conversations 

Give each guest an equal number of small candy 
hearts. Announce that conversation on any subject is 
permitted, but that any man answering a question by 
“yes” or “no” must forfeit a heart to his questioner, and 
any girl using a word in her reply beginning with the 
initials of “leap year,” “1,” or “y,” must pay the same 
penalty. 


Auctioning Partners 

The hearts which the girls have acquired in the pre¬ 
ceding game may now be used as money in the pur¬ 
chase of partners for the remainder of the evening. 
Stretch a curtain across one end of the room and sta¬ 
tion all the men behind it. Each man in turn will be 
seated in a chair behind the screen with only his feet 
protruding on the side where the girls are standing. 
An enthusiastic auctioneer will then endeavor to dispose 
of this possible husband by an eloquent description of 
his feet, while the girls bid against each other in true 
auction fashion. Where there are more girls than men, 
several girls may form a company and purchase one 
man between them. This game can be made especially 
amusing if a witty auctioneer is chosen and if the men 
will change shoes now and then to add to the confusion 
of their would-be purchasers. 

Leap-Year Archery 

Paint a large picture of a man on a sheet of card¬ 
board and paste a red paper heart over the spot where 
that organ would properly be located. Give to each 
girl a small cardboard arrow and to each man a small 


48 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


circle of cardboard. First a man and then a girl will 
play. The contestants will be blindfolded. The object 
of the men will be to completely protect the exposed 
heart by covering it with their cardboard circles before 
some cruel woman succeeds in piercing it with her 
arrow. 

The girls should serve the men with the refreshments 
and assist them with their wraps when the time for de¬ 
parture comes. 


A DAY-SY SOCIAL 












A DAY-SY SOCIAL 


This social is appropriate for any time of the year. 
Invitations may read as follows: 

June ninth, at eight o’clock. 

To our Day-sy social we gladly invite you, 

If to spend a whole week in one evening won’t 
fright you. 

The time will pass quickly—you may think us 
crazy, 

But tho’ we may daze you, you’ll feel like a daisy. 

Come to the home of. 

An added touch to this invitation would be a cal¬ 
endar-outline of the month or week, with the date of 
the social marked in red. If a poster is used to adver¬ 
tise the social it may be decorated with daisies cut from 
paper napkins or crepe paper. 

Since the programme of this social is based upon the 
plan of one game for each day of the week, the decora¬ 
tions should be chosen accordingly. Calendars of all 
sizes and descriptions should adorn the walls. Towels, 
pans, mops, and other kitchen utensils should appear 
in profusion. 

For the main part of the programme, seven games 
will be played, each representing one day of the week. 


51 



52 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


Washday 

For Monday, the game will be “washday.” Divide 
the company into four groups and let each group select 
a representative to compete in “hanging out the 
clothes ” Give to each contestant a piece of clothes¬ 
line about five feet long, ten handkerchiefs, and ten 
clothes-pins. At the word “go” each player will put up 
his clothes-line between two chairs, and proceed to pin 
the handkerchiefs to the line as rapidly as possible. 
The winner is the one who first succeeds in getting his 
“washing” properly hung on the line. Each group will, 
of course, encourage its representative by cheers and 
advice. 


Ironing Contest 

For Tuesday, of course, an “ironing contest” is 
planned. For this game provide four ironing boards 
(table leaves will do), four irons (books, bricks, or 
paper weights will serve just as well), and four towels. 
Each group will form in single file. At the word “go” 
the leader in each group approaches the ironing board, 
seizes the towel, goes through the motions of ironing 
it, folds it neatly, and runs back with it to his group, 
throwing it around the neck of the person next in line, 
who goes through the same procedure. The team which 
is first to announce that all its members have success¬ 
fully completed their ironing is declared the winner. 

House-Cleaning 

Wednesday is “house-cleaning day.” Before the so¬ 
cial print on pieces of colored cardboard, in letters 
about an inch high, the names of a number of articles 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


53 


used in house-cleaning. Four different sets should be 
prepared on as many different colors of cards. Then 
cut up these words and hide the letters in various parts 
of the rooms where the social is held. Assign one color 
to each group. The task for each group will be to find 
as many letters as possible of its color and then to form 
these into words appropriate to house-cleaning day. 
The group forming the largest number of words in 
fifteen minutes wins. 


Mending 

Thursday is “mending day.” Hang at one end of the 
room a picture of a pair of trousers with a large hole 
in the seat. Give to each guest a brightly colored patch 
and a pin. Each player is blindfolded in turn and seeks 
to pin his patch on the trousers so as most successfully 
to cover the hole. 


Out of the Oven 

“Out of the Oven” is an appropriate game for Friday. 
The players join hands in a large circle and a number 
is assigned to each. One player who is “in the oven” 
stands in the centre of the circle. As he calls two or 
more numbers, those to whom these numbers have been 
given must change places in the circle, while he tries to 
appropriate for himself one of the places left vacant. 
If he succeeds, the person whose place he has captured 
must stand in the oven until he in turn manages to se¬ 
cure another’s place. 


Pay Hunt 

Saturday is “pay day,” and the guests will enjoy a 
hunt for their “pay envelopes.” Each envelope should 


54 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


bear the name of a guest, and every person must hunt 
until he finds his own envelope. The envelopes may 
contain paper money, to pay for the refreshments which 
may now be served. 

Bible Spell-down 

A “Bible Spell-down” will be an appropriate game for 
Sunday, as the closing feature of the social. Divide 
the company into two groups, appoint a captain for 
each group and give to each captain a list of twenty 
questions on Bible history, with their answers. The 
teams are then sent into different rooms, and ten min¬ 
utes are allowed in which the captains may endeavor 
to teach the members of their groups the answers to the 
questions. At the end of this period the teams come 
together and the questions are asked back and forth, 
first of one side and then of the other, in the same man¬ 
ner as at a spelling match. Players unable to answer 
a question must take their seats and the honors of the 
evening go to the side whose members remain standing 
after all the opposite team have been forced out of the 
game. 


HARVEST, CORN OR 
THANKSGIVING SOCIAL 



















HARVEST, CORN, OR THANKSGIVING 
SOCIAL 


Invitations should be written on corn-colored paper. 
Members of the social committees should wear corn- 
colored aprons, or if they prefer, the young ladies on 
the committee may wear frocks of corn-colored cheese¬ 
cloth. For decorations, cornstalks, squash, pumpkins, 
etc., may be used. 

The price of admission for this social should be 
jelly, preserves, potatoes, or other articles of food, to 
be given later to some worthy family. 

Getting Acquainted 

As each guest enters he should be handed a numbered 
slip of paper with instructions as to his part in the “get- 
acquainted” game. For example, one slip may read: 
“No. 1, find No. 3 and introduce him or her to No. 11.” 
“No. 2, shake hands with No. 10, and talk for two min¬ 
utes on ‘The funniest experience of your life’.” Care 
should be taken, in preparing the instruction slips, that 
all numbers shall be used an equal number of times. 

The Popcorn Game 

This game is somewhat more lively but equally enter¬ 
taining. An odd number of persons should play. The 
pianist starts playing a lively tune, and while the music 

57 


58 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


continues the players move rapidly around the room, no 
one being allowed to stand still, under penalty of a 
forfeit. 

This game may be played a number of times until all 
stiffness and formality have disappeared and the com¬ 
pany is thoroughly acquainted. 

Corn-Judging Contest 

A number of kernels of corn should be placed in a 
glass jar and each guest asked to write on a card his 
estimate of the number of kernels in the jar. A pop¬ 
corn ball tied with ribbon should be presented with 
ceremony to the person making the best guess. 

Corn-Dropping Game 

For this game, several bottles with narrow necks 
should be provided. Each guest is given a turn to hold 
a bottle at arm’s length in his left hand, while with his 
right hand, twelve inches above the bottle, he tries to 
drop twelve kernels of corn into the bottle, one at a 
time. 


Harvest Scramble 

The hostess should throw a handful of beans and a 
handful of corn into the air. The instructions to the 
guests are that each boy is to gather as many beans as 
possible, while each girl picks up all the corn she can. 
When the harvest has thus been gathered, the boy who 
has secured the largest number of beans and the girl 
who has gathered the largest number of kernels of corn 
may be invited to share between themselves a large 
red apple. 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


59 


Corn versus Beans 

The company should be divided into two parts, the 
members of one side being called “Corn” while the 
others are called “Beans.” A circle is formed with the 
leader in the centre. The leader gives to each player 
a piece of ribbon or string, white ribbon to the “beans” 
and yellow ribbon to the “corn.” One end of each rib¬ 
bon is held by the leader. When the leader announces 
“Corn let go” the beans must let go their ribbon, and 
the “corn” must hold on. When the “beans” are or¬ 
dered to let go, the “corn” must obey the command. 
Those who fail to do the opposite of the command of 
the leader, must drop out of the circle. The game con¬ 
tinues until either the “beans” or the “corn” are en¬ 
tirely eliminated. 


Corn-Guessing Contest 

The company should be divided into four groups and 
the leader should ask the following questions, one after 
another. A point should be credited to the group, one 
of whose members is first to give the correct answer. 

What corn is often used in recipes? (Answer: Corn¬ 
starch.) 

What corn is part of a house? (Answer: Cornice.) 

What corn is found in a band? (Answer: Cornet.) 

What corn is a part of the eye? (Answer: Cornea.) 

What corn does pussy hunt for? (Answer: Corner.) 

What corn is found on a Christmas tree? (Answer: 
Cornucopia.) 

What corn goes off with a bang? (Answer: Pop¬ 
corn.) 


60 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


What corn is a famous college? (Answer: Cornell.) 
What corn was a noted general? (Answer: Corn¬ 
wallis.) 


Popcorn-Stringing Contest 

Each contestant should be given a needle and a long 
piece .of thread. In the centre of the group place a large 
bowl filled with popcorn. At the word “go” each player 
threads his needle and proceeds to string popcorn on 
his thread. The one making the longest popcorn string 
in a given length of time is proclaimed the winner. 

A Hunt for Nuts 

Pictures cut from advertisements and mounted on uni¬ 
form sheets of paper should be hung around the room. 
The object of the game is to guess the nuts for which 
they stand. For example: 

1. A picture of a scene in Brazil. (Brazil Nut.) 

2. A butter advertisement. (Butternut.) 

3. An old joke. (Chestnut.) 

4. Advertisement of shredded cocoanut. (Cocoa- 

nut.) 

5. A bunch of grapes. (Grapenut.) 

6. Picture of a girl. (Hazelnut.) 

7. Picture of Andrew Jackson. (Hickorynut.) 

8. The letter “P.” (Peanut.) 

9. Label from a can of peas. (Pecan.) 

10. The number 10 hanging on the wall. (Walnut.) 

Corn muffins and coffee, popcorn balls, or cracker 
jack, would be appropriate refreshments. 


A SHAMROCK PARTY 








A SHAMROCK PARTY 


Invitations should be written in rhyme on decorated 
cards if the personal invitation is to be used; and of 
course the party should be advertised by original post¬ 
ers bearing the invitation and suitably decorated, or 
perhaps shamrock-shaped cards will be used. 

Shamrocks naturally are the most appropriate decora¬ 
tion, and aprons made of St. Patrick’s crepe border 
paper edged with a ruffle of the plain green crepe-paper 
and worn by the serving committee will give an addi¬ 
tional seasonable touch. 

Dividing by Families 

As each one enters, his name for the evening written 
in green ink is pinned on him. Select four Irish sur¬ 
names, which should be used an equal number of times 
so that the groups may be equally divided; that is, have 
“Mother Murphy,” “Father Murphy,” “Pat Murphy,” 
“Mary Murphy,” and all the other children in each 
family. 


Story-Telling Contest 

As the families get together, they are each asked to 
select the three best stories told by members of the 
family to enter into a “story-telling contest.” 

Have three judges, full of wit, ready to decide which 

63 


64 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


family has scored a point. Decorate each member of 
the winning family with a chain and pendant (green¬ 
string chain and green-paper pendant). 

Potato Race 

Each family is asked to enter two of its members, 
a young lady and a young man, for the “potato race.” 
Thirty-two potatoes are placed on the floor in eight 
rows, equal distance apart. To each contestant will be 
given a spoon on which he must get the potato and 
carry it without any assistance from his left hand, and 
drop it in the basket at the end of his row. To each 
member of the family whose two representatives finish 
first are given a chain and a pendant. 

Now all will play individually, 

Where Does the Shamrock Grow? 

Have a small shamrock drawn on the map of Ireland, 
and have each one, blindfolded, try to stick a tiny sham¬ 
rock sticker on the drawn one. To the person coming 
the nearest are given another chain and pendant. 

Feeding the Pig 

Out of a large piece of green paper cambric cut the* 
side view of a pig with its mouth open. Sew this on a 
large square of white paper cambric. Cut out the ma¬ 
terial in the V-shaped opening of the pig’s mouth, and 
on the back of the white cambric sew a small bag with 
a drawstring at the bottom. Have each contestant, 
standing at a given distance from the pig, strive to 
throw a piece of potato into the pig’s mouth. Those 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


65 


succeeding in getting in two out of three pieces in each 
attempt receive another chain and pendant. 

Find a Lucky Shamrock 

This will be a search for shamrocks which have been 
hidden about the room. To the one finding the most 
shamrocks will be given a chain and a pendant. 

The prize of the evening, a lovely stick of peppermint 
candy tied with a pretty green bow, will be given to the 
person holding the most chains and pendants. 

A touch of green in the refreshments (which should 
be simple), or sandwiches and cakes cut in the shape 
of the shamrock, will add to the party. 


























VALENTINE SOCIAL 











VALENTINE SOCIAL 


Invitations to this party should be written on valen¬ 
tine postal cards or on paper hearts. A verse like the 
following may be used: 

Here’s a wish very hearty 
That you’ll come to our party 
On Friday, the fourteenth, at eight. 

Though your heart may be aching 
Or even be breaking, 

We’ll fix it; so please don’t be late. 

The decorations may consist of paper hearts and 
cupids, Members of the reception committee may wear 
heart-shaped aprons. 

Home-Made Love-Stories 

On arrival each guest receives eight paper hearts and 
a lead-pencil, and is told to ask each person present 
what is to be done with them. After every one has be¬ 
come well acquainted in this way, and the crowd has 
gathered, it is announced that home-made love stories 
will now be written. Each guest is told to number his 
hearts consecutively. On heart No. 1 he must write his 
own name. All No. 1 hearts are then collected, shaken 
together and placed in a row, face down, on the table. 
On heart No. 2 some future date is to be written. 


69 


70 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


These hearts are then collected, and one is placed on 
top of each No. 1. The remaining hearts are treated in 
like manner. On No. 3 write what will happen on that 
date. On No. 4 where it will happen. No. 5, something 
he, or she, or they will have. No. 6, how he, she, or they 
will get it. No. 7, how he, she, or they will use it. No. 8, 
the effect it will have. 

After all of the hearts have been collected as described 
above, and arranged in piles, a complete set of eight is 
given to each guest to be read aloud. The combinations 
will be amusing. Some one may learn, for example, 
that on June 15, 1951, he will be married at the bottom 
of the sea on an automobile used for fishing, and live 
happily ever after. 

Follow the Cobweb 

Before the time of the party construct the “cobwebs” 
by draping long pieces of red string around the sides of 
the rooms. There should be a string for each guest. 
Promise the young men that at the end of the strings 
assigned to them each will find the name of his bride- 
to-be. To keep this promise, the beginning and the end 
of each man’s string should be numbered alike. Then 
as soon as Mr. Jones takes string No. 1, some member 
of the reception committee should go quickly to the end 
of his string and quietly attach a slip on which “Mrs. 
Jones” has been written. 

Each girl should be assured that at the end of her 
string she will find definite instructions as to where to 
look for her future husband. This can be arranged by 
attaching to the end of each string the name of a place, 
such as “coal-mine,” “flying machine,” “hospital,” “gro¬ 
cery,” etc. 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


71 


Have at least one heart hanging from each string, 
bearing instructions as to something to be done before 
proceeding further, such as “Stop! Get Mary Ann a 
glass of water.” “Stop! Talk to Sam Jones three min¬ 
utes on the subject, The Funniest Experience of His 
Life,” etc. A forfeit should be collected from each per¬ 
son failing to obey instructions. 

A Hunt for Happiness 

Hide a ring, a penny, and a thimble. After the ar¬ 
ticles have been found, announce that the finder of the 
ring will be married within the year, the finder of the 
penny will always have wealth, and the finder of the 
thimble will enjoy single blessedness. 

Fortune Hearts 

Hang in a row ten hearts of different sizes. Each 
heart is supposed to denote some good fortune, the 
smaller the heart, the better the fortune. Give each 
guest one chance to hit the hearts with either a bow and 
arrow or a soft rubber ball. 

Mending Broken Hearts 

Pass out paper hearts clipped into four irregular 
pieces and well shaken together. Let the players match 
the pieces, thus forming groups of four. Give to each 
group a sheet of paper and a number of pictures from 
magazines, scissors, and paste. Announce that a prize 
will be given to the group producing the best valentine 
with an original verse. 


72 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


Cupid’s Darts 

Cut a large heart out of red paper cambric, and sew 
it to a large piece of white paper cambric. Cut a small 
hole in the red heart so that the white shows through. 
Give each guest a small white paper arrow. Blindfold 
each player in turn, and instruct him to pin his arrow 
on the heart. The winner is the person who succeeds in 
pinning his arrow nearest to the spot where the heart 
has been pierced. 


A TRIP TO CHICAGO 















A TRIP TO CHICAGO 


While this social has been planned as a trip to Chi¬ 
cago, the games may easily be connected with any other 
large city. A social of this sort is especially useful 
when a money-raising affair of some kind is desired. 

The invitations should be written on folded sheets of 
paper. The outside cover should be headed “A Trip to 
Chicago,” followed by the date, hour, and place of the 
social. A small picture of a train or a bit of scenery 
cut from some railroad advertising folder will complete 
the cover. On the two inside pages the following verses 
may be written: 

Chi-ca-go, Illinois, 

We want you there! We want you there! 

Oh, come with us at 8.15; 

We’ll show you sights you’ve never seen 

By dear Lake Michigan’s waters green, 

In Chi-ca-go. 

Please bring your nickels and your dimes; 

We guarantee the best of times. 

A wondrous city you will see, 

And spend a night of mirth and glee. 

On the fourth page some of the attractions may be 
listed. 


75 


76 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


This social may be given either as a progressive 
party, one or more features being presented at each of 
several homes, or it may be held in your church parlors 
by using several rooms or dividing a large room into 
several compartments. 

The Railroad Station 

Upon their arrival the guests are ushered into the 
“station.” This room should be decorated with time¬ 
tables and cards, railroad maps, folders, and news¬ 
papers. Signs posted around the room should announce 
that all bird-cages, poodles, hand-baggage, etc., must be 
checked before entering the Pullman. A check-stand 
should be provided for leaving wraps. 

The travellers should be instructed to purchase their 
railroad tickets in the station. These may be merely 
long strips of paper folded like long-distance railroad 
tickets, and cut in two irregularly. After matching their 
halves for partners the guests should proceed to the 

Pullman Car 

Here the chairs will be arranged two by two on each 
side of an aisle. Every second pair of chairs will face 
in the opposite direction. “Windows” for the car can 
be made by hanging up landscape pictures cut from 
magazines. 

A porter and a conductor should be provided for the 
train, and both should be exceedingly active. The 
porter will continually offer to brush the passengers, 
and will always have a hand outstretched for tips. The 
conductor will pass through the car at frequent inter¬ 
vals, punching the tickets in as officious a manner as 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


77 


possible. The brakeman will call stops every two min¬ 
utes, and announce an appropriate topic of conversa¬ 
tion for each stop. For example, when he calls “Battle 
Creek, Michigan,” the topic might be “The Latest Ford 
Joke;” at Troy, N. Y., “The Size of My Collar;” at 
Salt Lake City, Utah, “Why I Am (or am not) Mar¬ 
ried,” etc. It is not necessary that the cities be called 
in geographical order. In fact, it will add to the merri¬ 
ment, if the train seems to skip back and forth from one 
side of the continent to the other. 

A candy-butcher, going through the train selling pop¬ 
corn balls and fudge, will add greatly to the pleasure 
of the travelers and to the financial profit of the eve¬ 
ning. 

After several stations have been called, a “waiter,” 
appropriately costumed, passes through the car, an¬ 
nouncing, “Last call for dinner,” and the travelers move 
forward to the 


Dining-Car 

Small tables placed on each side of an aisle will make 
an excellent dining-car. Pictures should be hung up 
for windows, as in the Pullman. It is announced that a 
meal a la carte will be served, and a menu-card may be 
offered containing the following items: 

Bluepoints on the half-shell 
Rolls Hermits Date gems 

Canvasback duck Pressed chicken Escalloped potatoes 
String,-beans Eggs on toast 
Peas 

Black or green tea 


Chocolate 


78 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


Each guest may order what he desires, and a charge 
of a cent or two should be made for each item requested. 
After all orders have been taken the meal will be served, 
and some startling discoveries will be made. The “Blue- 
points on the half-shell” will be found to be pointed bits 
of blue tissue-paper pasted on the inside of a half pea¬ 
nut-shell. The “rolls” will be small rolls of pink cotton. 
The “hermits” will be small mittens cut out of paper. 
“Date gems” will be leaves from a small calendar, rolled 
and tied with narrow ribbon. “Canvasback duck” will 
be cut out of heavy paper, and a bit of canvas pasted on 
one side. A small paper chicken will surely be consid¬ 
ered sufficiently “pressed.” The “escalloped potatoes’’’ 
will be slices of raw potato, cut in scallops around the 
edges. These should be kept in cold water until ready 
to serve. A few candy beans threaded on a string will 
serve splendidly as “string-beans,” while for “eggs on 
toast,” toasts to the guests may be written on slips of 
paper and pasted to small candy eggs. For “peas” cut 
two letter P’s from green paper, and cut the letter T out 
of black paper for the black tea, and out of green paper 
for the green tea. A small square of milk chocolate will 
substitute for the other beverage. 

The Arrival in Chicago 

At the station platform the visitors will be met by a 
reception committee. Each member of the committee 
takes in charge a group of the sightseers, and the groups 
start out to “see the sights” by different routes, so that 
no attraction will be visited by the entire company at the 
same time. 

The following list of attractions is purely suggestive. 
Every committee using this social will wish to introduce 
original ideas. 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


79 


The Sights 

1. Moving-Picture Show. On a long strip of card¬ 
board with a string at the end fasten a couple of 
pictures. When the show commences, the operator 
merely pulls these pictures up and down over the 
back of a chair, or if possible something higher. 

2. Photographic Gallery. A toy camera out of which 
a snake springs is used. Can be purchased in a 
ten-cent store usually. 

3. The Beach and a Swimming Match. Here the 
guide invites the crowd to “see (sea) waves” as he 
waves a towel or handkerchief. In a pan of water 
is seen a match. 

4. Wayworn Travelers. (Old shoes.) 

5. An Absorbing Subject. (Sponge.) 

5. Out for the Night. (Candle.) 

7. The House the Colonel Lived in. (Corncob.) 

8. Home of Burns. (Flatiron.) 

9. A Regjning Favorite. (Umbrella.) 

10. A Mute Choir. (A quire of paper.) 

11. Departed Days. (Last year’s calendar.) 

12. Sweet Sixteen. (Sixteen lumps of sugar.) 

13. Assorted Liquors. (Lickers-whip, switch, slipper.) 

14. We Part to Meet again. (Scissors.) 

15. Deer in Winter. (Eggs.) 

16. Spring’s Offering. (Glass of water.) 

17. Cause of American Revolution. (Tacks on T.) 

18. A Rejected Beau. (An old bow of ribbon.) 

19. The Greatest Bet Ever Made. (Alphabet.) 

20. Little Peacemaker. (Chopping-knife.) 


80 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


21. The Four Seasons. (Salt, pepper, mustard, 

vinegar.) 

22. Common Sense. (Pennies.) 

The attractions suggested in “The County Fair” may 
also be used in this social. 

A Visit to Lincoln Park 

The next attraction should be presented in a room 
large enough to accommodate the entire company. Lin¬ 
coln Park should be announced. To each guest should be 
given a piece of wax gum and a few toothpicks, with 
instructions to mould some animal for the Zoo. An 
inexpensive prize may be given for the most clever 
model. 

While in the park, drop the handkerchief, farmer in 
the dell, and other out-of-door games are played. 

The Art Institute is next visited, and to each person 
is given a sheet of paper out of which he is to tear the 
outline of a picture. A prize may be given for the best 
work of “art” resulting from this contest. 

The mystery restaurant is then reached, and each 
person orders what he wishes. The price should be in¬ 
dicated opposite each item. The explanations in paren¬ 
theses should of course be omitted from the bill of fare. 


Mystery Restaurant 

Go-betweens (sandwiches). 

Hot berry drink (coffee). 

Registers (rolls). 

Predicaments (pickles). 

Rabbits (buns). 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


81 


Perplexities (salad). 

Pressed curd (cheese). 

Confused mixtures (jumbles). 

A tight squeeze (lemonade). 

Buried seeds (berries). 

Golden spheres (oranges). 

Solid skimmings (ice cream). 

The evening’s entertainment may be closed by “going 

to -” inserting the name of your town, and 

playing the same way as “going to Jerusalem.” 

The success of this social depends very largely on 
the ability and sociability of those taking the leaders’ 
parts. On the matter of charges for the various items 
it should be borne in mind that the prices should never 
be so high as to detract from the enjoyment of the eve¬ 
ning’s pleasure. 




A CHRISTMAS SOCIAL 




A CHRISTMAS SOCIAL 


If individual invitations are to be used, Christmas 
postcards bearing a cordial greeting and an announce¬ 
ment of the social will be both inexpensive and attrac¬ 
tive. Well-planned decorations will add much to the 
effectiveness of the social. Holly, red paper bells, 
Christmas trees, wreaths, red and green paper orna¬ 
ments, can all be used to advantage. A tiny sprig of 
mistletoe, properly hung in some obscure corner, will 
add to the interest of the evening. 

Christmas Pictures 

The purpose of this game is to divide the company 
into two groups. Take two magazine covers bearing 
Christmas scenes, and cut them into irregularly shaped 
pieces, each into the same number, and give one piece 
on entrance to each guest with instructions to find 
those holding the other sections of his picture. After 
both sides have succeeded in matching their pieces 
properly, announcement should be made of the next 
game. 


Christmas Charades 

The charades for this game should be limited to 
words representing Christmas gifts. One group will 
go out of the room while the other chooses a word 
which may be acted out in pantomime or tableau. A 

85 


86 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


spokesman will announce the part of speech, the num¬ 
ber of syllables, and whether the word will be acted 
out first by syllables (one scene each), and then as a 
whole, or vice versa. The first group is called in, and 
endeavors to guess the word acted out by their oppo¬ 
nents. If they fail to guess correctly, they must forfeit 
a player to the other side. 

Here are a few suggestions for Christmas charades: 

Cuff-Links 

Common noun of two syllables. Acted by syllables 
and then as a whole. Scene 1: One person cuffing an¬ 
other person’s ears, or several pairs of folks doing like¬ 
wise, so that all may have a part. Scene 2: A make-be¬ 
lieve game of golf on “the links.” Scene 3: A young 
man, with coat-sleeves slightly raised, prancing about. 

Through the Holly Wreath 

Suspend a holly wreath from the ceiling. Make snow¬ 
balls by wadding cotton together and sewing it several 
times so as to hold it together. Have several so that, as 
one becomes worn, it can be replaced. Hand each con¬ 
testant three snowballs; blindfold him; and have him 
endeavor to throw all three through the holly wreath. A 
tiny box containing one sugar-coated filbert, represent¬ 
ing a snow ball, would be a tasty prize. 

The Christmas Candles’ Story 

Place a small Christmas tree in the centre of a prettily 
decorated table. Then at each of the four corners of 
the table set a platter containing one dozen candles. 
(Candles can easily be stuck to the platter by dropping 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


87 


a little of the heated candle-grease on the platter and 
setting the candles in it immediately; when the grease 
has cooled, the candles stand firmly.) Blindfold the con¬ 
testant, and after turning him about several times, allow 
him three blows. The number of candles left burning 
signify the number of years before joyous wedding bells 
will peal for him. 


Christmas Gifts 

Decorate a Christmas tree with wrapped gifts not ex¬ 
ceeding five cents in value. Blindfolded, each guest is 
allowed to pick his gift from the tree. The admission to 
the social might be a wrapped gift not exceeding five 
cents in value, if it is thought best not to take the 
money out of the treasury. 

Christmas Auction 

Make Christmas coins by sticking two Christmas 
seals together. Give each one ten pieces. Have three 
or four inexpensive but splendidly wrapped articles (a 
lump of sugar, a lemon, a spray of holly, and a nut will 
do), for the guests to bid on after “investing their 
money.” 


Investing Christmas Money 

At a given signal all are told to begin and continue 
asking one another questions until time is called. Any 
one using “yes” or “no” or any word beginning with the 
letter c in his answer must forfeit to the questioner 
one of his coins. Thus some will have more money 
than others with which to bid on the articles up for 
auction. A lively auctioneer adds much to the success 
of this game. 



A DISCOVERY PARTY 














A DISCOVERY PARTY 


Christopher Columbus discovered America on October 
12, and a social in honor of the great discoverer can be 
made an attractive feature of the October recreational 
programme. 

Invitations may be prepared in the form of small card¬ 
board ships. If preferred, the ships may be drawn on 
the cards or maybe pictures cut from the advertising 
sections of magazines. 

Give to each guest upon entering a slip bearing the 
name of one of Columbus’s three ships, the Pinta, the 
Santa Maria, or the Nina. This will divide the com¬ 
pany into three groups. 

Discovery 

Now give to each person a small blank book with as 
many spaces for names as there are guests present. 
These little books may be easily made by fastening to¬ 
gether slips of paper. The size of the page should be 
about two by three inches. Make sure that everybody 
has a lead-pencil. 

It is now announced that the game of “discovery” 
will be played. The object of the game is to secure in 
the book, which has been provided, the names of as 
many guests as possible, indicating opposite each name 
the color of the person’s eyes. In every case the infor¬ 
mation must be gathered by personal interview. Allow 

91 


92 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


fifteen minutes for the discoverers to seek these facts; 
then collect the books, and award a simple prize to the 
person that has the largest correct list. 

Digging for Buried Treasure 

“Digging for buried treasure” will be announced as 
the title of the next game. A number of shallow boxes 
filled with sand should be placed in different parts of the 
room, and one contestant from each ship should be 
assigned to each box, provided with a toy shovel, and 
instructed to dig for cents which have been concealed 
in the sand. Recognition should be given to the ship 
whose representative secures the largest number of cents 
within a given time. 

Finding America 

For the next game hang a large map of the United 
States at one end of the room. The contestants will be 
blindfolded in turn and told to pin a small paper ship 
on the map. The winner will be the person who suc¬ 
ceeds in pinning his ship nearest to the city where the 
social is being held. 

Palefaces and Indians 

Divide the company into two lines, facing each other, 
about ten feet apart. One line will be the palefaces 
and the other the Indians. Assign a number to each 
person in each line, so that there are corresponding num¬ 
bers on each side. A cardboard tomahawk or hatchet is 
placed by the leader on a line half-way between the two 
sides. The leader then calls a number, and the player 
on each side to whom that number has been given dashes 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


93 


out from the line, and tries to secure the tomahawk be¬ 
fore his opponent, thus scoring a point for his side. The 
side first securing twenty-one points wins the game. 

Biographical Relay 

For this game, the players are divided into teams 
of ten persons each, the members of each team standing 
one behind the other facing a blackboard. Give a piece 
of chalk to the first person in each team. At the signal 
to start, the leader in each file runs to the blackboard, 
writes the word “Columbus,” and returns to his place, 
passing the chalk to the second in line, who in turn 
hastens to write the word “sailed.” The game continues 
in this way, the object being to complete the sentence, 
“Columbus sailed the ocean blue, in fourteen hundred 
and ninety-two,” each member of the team contribut¬ 
ing a word. The team which first correctly completes 
its sentence wins the game. 

Hunting for Hidden Mysteries 

After a game requiring so much physical activity, a 
more quiet time will be appreciated. To each guest 
should be given a cent, a pencil, and a list of the follow¬ 
ing objects, which he is told may be discovered on the 
coin. The answers to these mysteries are given in paren¬ 
theses after the name of the object. An inexpensive 
prize may be awarded to the person submitting the 
most nearly correct list. 

All the following may be found on a Lincoln cent: 

1. A snake (copperhead). 

2. A submarine (under the “C”). 


94 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


3. A messenger (one cent). 

4. A country (United States). 

5. A fruit (date). 

6. An animal (hair). 

7. A flower (two lips). 

8. A building (temple). 

9. Top of a hill (brow). 

10. Part of a river (mouth). 

11. A beverage (tea). 

12. Yourself (Eye). 

An Oratorical Duet 

An amusing close to the evening’s entertainment will 
be afforded by an “oratorical duet.” Two young men 
are needed for this oration, one rather tall and the other 
somewhat shorter. The tall young man stands in front, 
and is the only one visible to the audience. He wears a 
long coat or robe, and a high silk hat. The shorter of 
the two stands on a box behind his tall friend, com¬ 
pletely concealed beneath the former’s coat. His arms, 
however, are thrust through the sleeves of the coat, 
while the man in front keeps his arms at his sides or 
folded behind his back out of sight. The front member 
of the team then begins an enthusiastic oration about 
Columbus; and, as he speaks, his hidden partner pro¬ 
ceeds to make more or less appropriate gestures. The 
result is a very amusing combination. 


A HALLOWE’EN SOCIAL 




A HALLOWE’EN SOCIAL 


October is the month of ghosts, witches, and goblins; 
and every hostess who entertains on or near Hallowe’en 
will wish to celebrate the occasion with appropriate 
ceremonies. More material is suggested here than can 
be used in the ordinary evening’s entertainment, but the 
wise hostess will make a selection, and will doubtless 
add many original touches of her own. 

The invitations for a Hallowe’en party should be 
written on white cards decorated with black cats, 
witches, goblins, etc. A form such as the following 
may be used: 

“This is the night we call our own; 

We ghosts and goblins all invite you. 

If not afraid of sigh and moan, 

We’re sure our antics will delight you. 

Come to the home of 


Friday Evening, October 31, 
at eight o’clock.” 

When the guests arrive, they will find on the front 
door of the hostess’s home a sign stating that this en¬ 
trance has been closed and that they must go to the rear 
of the house, where they will be admitted by giving 
three knocks on the kitchen door. When these instruc¬ 
tions have been carried out, the door is opened by the 

97 



98 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


“Ghost” properly attired for the occasion. A very effec¬ 
tive ghost’s costume can be made of a long white sheet 
draped from the shoulders. Over the face is thrown 
a white cloth or old pillow-slip, in which narrow slits 
have been cut for the eyes. 

The ghost at the entrance motions for silence, and 
waves the visitors in through a dimly lighted kitchen 
to the next doorway, where stands a second ghost, 
solemnly shaking hands with the guests in turn, and 
silently directing them to the next room. This per¬ 
formance is repeated until the room is reached where 
the guests are to lay off their wraps. The ghost at 
this doorway offers to shake hands in the usual way, 
but instead of extending his own hand, holds out a kid 
glove, filled with wet sawdust, which has been kept on 
ice all day to make it cold and clammy. 

No Hallowe’en party is complete without an open fire 
of some sort, but, if the fireplace is not available, an 
excellent imitation bonfire can be constructed. Place 
an electric-light bulb on the floor, and attach it to the 
base plug by an extension cord. Lay red tissue-paper 
over the bulb, and cover it with sticks. 

Just inside the room in which the social is to be held, 
a ghost is stationed whose business it is to manage, by 
motions and wierd sounds, that each guest on arrival 
shakes hands with those already gathered. 

Ghost Pictures and Stories 

After a few minutes of conversation the hostess 
passes out slips of paper which will be found to be parts 
of a ghost’s picture, cut out of plain white paper. These 
are to be matched together, and the party in this way is 
divided into three groups. Each group is then told to 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


99 


prepare an original ghost story, every member being ex¬ 
pected to contribute a sentence or two. It is announced 
that the members of the group telling the best story will 
have conferred upon them the degree of “B. A. P.”; 
those having the next best story, the degree of “L. A. 
P.” When the refreshments are served, it will be dis¬ 
covered that the “B. A. P.” stands for “Big Apple Pie”; 
“L. A. P.” for “Little Apple Pie”; and “N. A. P.” for 
“No Apple Pie,” 

Health, Wealth, Happiness 

Now have the ghosts of Health, Wealth, and Happi¬ 
ness appear. These are three young men, as nearly of 
the same height as possible, each wearing a heavy coat 
underneath his ghostly attire. To each person present 
are given three slips of paper with instructions to write 
his name on each slip. Then, as the ghosts run in and 
out among the crowd, the guests must strive to pin their 
names on each one. A big rosy apple can be awarded 
to any one fortunate enough to pin his name on all 
three ghosts. 


Famous Ghosts 

Next, a procession of famous ghosts will make its 
appearance. The ghost of George Washington will be 
easily recognized because it will carry a hatchet. The 
ghost of Sir Walter Raleigh will spread a cloak for 
the ghost of Queen Elizabeth to walk on, etc. A dozen 
such ghosts should be introduced; then the guests, of 
course, are to guess whom they are supposed to repre¬ 
sent. No costumes except sheets are necessary. The 
actions will tell the story. 



100 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


Fortune-Telling 

Fortune-telling is, of course, an essential feature of 
a Hallowe’en programme. Prepare the fortunes in ad¬ 
vance by writing in lemon-juice on slips of paper with 
an ordinary new steel pen. At the proper time in the 
programme, a “gypsy” will take her seat by the make-be¬ 
lieve bonfire, and passing out the slips, will invite each 
guest to place his initials in the upper left-hand corner. 
The slips are then collected, and one by one are held 
close over a lighted candle. The heat will bring out the 
hidden writing. In writing the fortunes on the slips of 
paper, sufficient margin should be left so that the gypsy 
may hold the writing over the candle without burning 
her fingers. 


The Three Bowls 

At the same time, if the crowd is large, a second 
group may be entertained by playing the game of the 
three bowls. One bowl contains clear water; another 
one contains water in which tea-grounds have been 
placed; and the third is empty. Blindfold the guest; 
change the positions of the bowls; and invite him to 
dip his finger into one. The first bowl denotes bliss 
with a handsome young man or maid; the second, with 
a widow or widower for a mate, and the last, single 
blessedness. 

The number of years before joyous wedding bells will 
peal is told by setting a number of candles on a platter, 
blindfolding the guest, and instructing him to blow. Each 
candle left lighted denotes a year. 

Let the guests be seated on the floor around the grate 
while some one, warned in advance, begins a story. Start 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


101 


by telling that Hallowe’en, October 31, is the eve of the 
festival of All Saints, and that in England and Scotland 
it has long been devoted to harmless fireside revelries, 
going on to a weird ghost-story. When an exciting 
point has been reached, let the ghost with a loud wail 
jump into the middle of the group—just for excitement. 



SPRING OR BUNNY PARTY 




SPRING OR BUNNY PARTY 


This social is especially appropriate for March or 
April. The invitation cards should have a flower or 
rabbit design in the corner. Each member of the social 
committee should make an original poster advertising 
the party. 

The rooms where the party is held should be decorated 
with flowers, pussy-willow, and the branches of blossom¬ 
ing trees. If the real blossoms cannot be secured, arti¬ 
ficial flowers and leaves can be made of tissue-paper, and 
attached to bare branches. Even the branches themselves 
may be imitated by covering sticks with brown paper. 
It is not at all necesssary that the work be expertly 
done in order to be attractive. Even an amateur can 
produce results which will add to the decorative effect; 
and, even if some of the effects are a bit laughable, this 
will only help the enjoyment of the evening. 

As each guest enters, a member of the reception com¬ 
mittee should pin on his back a slip bearing the name of 
some flower, and instruct him that his first duty is to 
find out what flower he represents. This may be done 
by asking questions, for example, “Where do I grow?” 
“What color am I?” etc. Only one question may be 
asked of each person. When the name of the flower has 
been guessed, the slip may be transferred from the back 
to the front. 


105 


106 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


Matching Bunnies 

This game is for the purpose of pairing off the guests. 
To each boy should be given one-half of a paper rab¬ 
bit, and the corresponding half should be given to some 
girl in the party. The guests must hunt until they have 
found the persons holding the halves which fit their 
own. If preferred, a candy rabbit may be given to each 
guest, and the pairing may be accomplished by matching 
colored ribbons or numbers attached to the rabbits. 

Spring Millinery 

If the boys and girls have been paired off in couples 
as suggested in the foregoing game, the boys will now 
make spring hats for the girls, while the girls manufac¬ 
ture the boys’ neckties. Two sheets of tissue-paper and 
a supply of pins should be given to each worker, with 
which to produce a “creation.” If it has not been found 
possible to divide the company by couples, the guests 
may be gathered into groups of four or six, and each 
person may be directed to make his own spring hat or 
necktie. 


Search for Eggs and Animals 

Candy eggs and animal crackers may be concealed 
in different parts of the room, and a colored egg or a 
candy rabbit may be awarded to the person succeeding 
in finding the largest number. It will add to the interest 
of this game if the guests are marched around the room 
to the tune of the piano, and permitted to hunt only 
during brief intervals when the piano is not playing. 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


107 


The Pageant of Trees 

To each guest are given pencil and paper, and each 
strives to write down the correct names of the trees as 
they are acted by members of the party. Here are a few 
suggestions: 


Willow : 

: (Will-owe). A young man makes a purchase, 
and in answer to the customary “cash or 
charge?” replies “Charge it.” 

Maple : 

(May-pull). A young lady pulls the May 
sheets from calendars around the room at the 
end of a string. 

Spruce: 

A young man repeatedly adjusts his tie, parts 
his hair, and brushes his coat. 

Poplar: 

(Popular). A young man surrounded by a 
number of girls or the reverse. 

Ash : 

A young man in overalls goes through the 
motions of sifting ashes. 

Rubber : 

A young lady writes a letter, but constantly 
erases what she has written. 

Oak : 
Pine : 

A young man wears a label marked “O. K.” 

A young lady with a sad and forlorn expres¬ 
sion. 

Pear : 

A couple walking together. 

Beech : 

A small boy plays with a toy sailboat in a 
pan of water. 


Flower-Garden 


The players will be seated in a circle around the “gar¬ 
dener,” one in the centre, who will tell the story. T.o each 


108 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


player is given the name of a flower. Then the gardener 
begins his story by telling that he has come to the gar¬ 
den to get a bouquet. At the word “bouquet” all must 
change seats. IJ the gardener succeeds in securing a 
seat in the confusion, the player left without a chair 
becomes the gardener, and continues the story by naming 
the flowers composing the bouquet. 

As each flower is mentioned, the player to whom that 
name has been assigned must arise from his seat and 
turn around rapidly three times. If he fails to do this, 
he forfeits his place to the gardener and becomes gar¬ 
dener in turn. 


Vegetable-Patch 

The players should seat themselves on the floor in a 
circle in true picnic style. Each player in the circle 
selects some word, the name of an object, to which he 
must refer in answering all questions put to him. One 
player stands in the centre of the ring, and propounds 
the questions. For example, he will say: “I hear you got 
into the vegetable-patch. How did you do it?” The 
player of whom he asks the question may have selected 
the word “chair,” and will therefore answer, “With a 
chair.” “What did you find there?” he will ask the next 
player. “An umbrella.” “What did you do with it?” 
“Took it to church.” A player failing to answer 
promptly, or laughing, must change places with the 
questioner. Forfeits may be required if desired. 

Don’t Step in the Flower-Bed 

A large enclosure is marked off in the centre of the 
room and called the flower-bed. Some one is appointed 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


109 


gardener, and takes his stand in the centre of the bed. 
The other players, several at a time, enter the flower¬ 
bed and tempt the gardener to tag them. When he suc¬ 
ceeds, he trades places; and the one tagged becomes 
the gardener. If there are a number of players, it may 
be found advisable to have two or three gardeners. 







A PATRIOTIC PARTY 




A PATRIOTIC PARTY 


This party may be used to celebrate Decoration Day, 
Flag Day, the Fourth of July, or Armistice Day. 

Invitations should bear tiny flag stickers, or a little 
silk flag might be attached to each. 

The rooms should be decorated with American and 
foreign flags or tissue-paper garlands. 

The Patriotic Grip 

If the company is large and not well acquainted, start 
the evening’s entertainment by playing “the patriotic 
grip.” As each person enters the room, an ordinary 
paper bag decorated with a tiny flag, a star, or some 
other patriotic sticker, is placed over his right hand. Tie 
this bag around the wrist with red, white, or blue string. 
Instructions are given that the only way in which the 
bag may be removed is by wearing it out shaking hands. 
This rule should be strictly enforced. 

Marching to Victory 

If there are a number of young people in the party, 
they may enjoy playing “marching to victory.” This is 
played to any patriotic tune. First line up the necessary 
number of chairs side by side, the first, third, fifth, etc., 
facing in one direction, and the second, fourth, sixth, 
and so on facing in the opposite direction. Have one 

113 




114 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


less chair in the row than you have players. The pianist 
plays a few measures, stopping abruptly when all 
scramble for a chair. The one left without a chair is out 
of the game. One chair is taken from the end of the 
line, and the game again commences. The winner is 
the one who succeeds in getting the final chair. 

On to Berlin 

When several have dropped out on the “march to 
victory,” the hostess should start the game “on to Ber¬ 
lin.” Give each contestant an American flag sticker. 
Hang a map of Europe on the wall or in a doorway. 
The object of the game is to see which guest, when 
blindfolded, can come nearest to planting Old Glory on 
Berlin. 


Liberty Loan 

The guests will now be ready to play “Liberty loan.” 
Give each guest a number, and announce that all per¬ 
sons with odd numbers are members of Company A, 
while all those with even numbers are members of Com¬ 
pany B. Direct the companies to form in two parallel 
lines facing each other. The person at the head of each 
line is the captain of the company. The hostess then 
hands to each captain ten bright cents. The captain must 
receive these in his right hand and pass them to the per¬ 
son next to him, and so on down the line and back. If 
a member of either company drops a penny, he must pick 
it up before he may pass his money to his neighbor. The 
company wins which first succeeds in completing the 
“Liberty loan” by returning the cents to the starting- 
point. 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


115 


Target Practice 

The guests should now be summoned to “target prac¬ 
tice.” Sew a large star cut out of red paper cambric 
on a square of white paper cambric. Cut a tiny hole in 
the centre of the star, so that the white material will 
show through. This little white circle is the spot at 
which each contestant will aim. Thrust a horseshoe- 
nail or a heavy needle through a cork so that the point 
will protude an inch or two on the other side. Then 
insert two or three feathers (if possible a red, a white, 
and a blue one), in the top to balance your weapon. The 
contestants should stand several feet away from the 
target and strive to hit the white circle in the centre. 
The target should be backed with boards or an old table- 
top. 

Military Drill 

If a returned soldier is a member of the party, a 
brief “military drill” will add interest to the evening’s 
programme. The guests should be formed in line and 
instructed in a few of the military commands, such as 
“Right face,” “Left face,” “About face,” “Mark time,” 
“Halt,” and “Right-hand salute.” The leader or captain 
then says, “Uncle Sam says ‘Right face/ ” whereupon the 
company must all obey the command. In like manner 
he may give an order for any of the other movements, 
always prefacing his command with the words “Uncle 
Sam says.” If at any time the captain omits the words 
“Uncle Sam says,” the members of the company must 
refuse to obey the order. Any player obeying under 
these circumstances must either pay a forfeit or drop 
out of the game, as may be decided upon beforehand. 


116 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


Inspection of the Infantry 

Next comes “inspection of infantry.” Baby pictures 
of the guests should be collected well in advance of the 
party. These should be numbered and prominently dis¬ 
played in an adjoining room. Give each guest a white 
card, decorated with the picture of a soldier or a Red 
Cross nurse, and allow fifteen minutes in which the 
guests may try to identify the pictures. Remember that 
childhood pictures are often cherished possessions, and 
be careful not to injure them in any way. The use of 
red, white, and blue pencils will add a pleasing touch 
to this game. 


Setting-up Exercises 

The company will now be ready for the “setting-up 
exercises.” All will be asked to join enthusiastically in 
singing to the tune of “John Brown’s Body,” the fol¬ 
lowing verse: 

“U. S. soldier has a cold upon his chest, 

U. S. soldier has a cold upon his chest, 

U. S. soldier has a cold upon his chest, 

So he sends for the Red Cross nurse.” 

The second time this verse is sung, the guests are 
directed that instead of singing the word “soldier” they 
should omit this word and give the right-hand salute. 
The third verse should be sung in the same manner as 
the second, and in addition the word “cold” should be 
omitted, each singer giving a slight cough at this point 
in the song. In the fourth verse omit the word “chest,” 
each person rubbing his own chest violently instead. The 
verses should be sung vigorously, and are sure to create 
much merriment. As the verse is being sung for the 


SUCCESSFUL SOCIALS 


117 


fifth time, the waitresses, attired as Red Cross nurses, 
should enter with the evening’s refreshments. 

The refreshments should harmonize as much as pos¬ 
sible with the patriotic nature of the occasion. If only 
light refreshments are desired, raspberry gelatine with 
whipped cream accompanied by star-pointed cookies 
would be both refreshing and attractive. Serve each 
portion on a small plate covered with a lace-paper doily. 

If something more elaborate is desired, cherry salad, 
thin bread-and-butter sandwiches, and coffee may be 
provided. For the salad drain canned cherries, remove 
the stones, and fill the cavities with filbert-nut meats. 
Arrange in nests of lettuce-leaves, and serve with cream 
mayonnaise dressing. The sandwiches may be tied with 
red, white, and blue ribbon. 

Paper napkins decorated in red, white, and blue would 
add a pretty touch to the decorative scheme. 

An interesting feature of the evening’s programme 
may be a short talk by a returned soldier or a Red Cross 
nurse about his or her military experiences, followed, 
if possible, by a display of souvenirs from the battle 
front. 

Prizes for the various games may be simple and inex¬ 
pensive. 

The evening’s programme will not be complete unless 
“America” or “The Star-Spangled Banner” is sung in 
closing. 


INDEX 















Index of Games 


Page 

Art Institute.80 

Auctioning Partners.47 

Autographs and Eyes.45 


Band.33 

B. A. P.99 

Balloon Ascension.36 

Bible Spell-down.54 

Biographical Relay.93 

Brag and Blow.9 

Bubble-blowing Contests.11 

Bubble Volley Ball.11 

Catching the Train.39 

Chicken Dinner.19 

Christmas Auction.87 

Christmas Candles’ Story.86 

Christmas Charades.85 

Christmas Gifts.87 

Christmas Pictures.85 

Corn-Dropping.58 

Corn-Guessing Contest.59 

Corn-Judging.58 

Corn versus Beans.59 

Cupid’s Darts.72 

Cuff-Links.86 


121 















122 


INDEX OF GAMES 


Digging for Buried Treasure.92 

Dining Car.77 

Dividing by Families.63 

Discovery.91 

Don’t Step in the Flower Bed.108 

Dressing the Family.18 

Eating the Fish’s Tail.42 

Egg Football.10 

Endurance Contest.12 

Famous Ghosts.99 

Feather Tennis.11 

Feeding the Pig.64 

Find a Lucky Shamrock.65 

Finding America .... ... 92 

Flower Garden.107 

Follow the Cobweb.70 

Foolish Advertisements.17 

Fortune Hearts.71 

Fortune-Telling.35,100 

Getting Acquainted.57 

Ghost Pictures and Stories.98 

Guessing Flowers.105 

Hairmonica.25 

Hana, Kuchi, Mimi, Me.42 

Harvest Scramble.58 

Health, Wealth, Happiness.99 

Hit the Target.11 

Home-Made Love-Stories.69 

House-Cleaning.52 

Hunt for Happiness.71 

Hunt for Husbands.46 

Hunt for Nuts.60 

Hunting for Hidden Mysteries.93 







INDEX OF 

Illustrated Songs . 

Imaginary Proposals . 
Inspection of the Infantry . 
Investing Christmas Money 
Ironing Contest . 

^Confidence Korner 

Leap-Year Archery 
Liberty Loan 

Lung Test .... 

Marching to Victory . 
Matching Bunnies 
Matching Hearts . 

Mending .... 

Mending Broken Hearts 

Merry-go-round 

Military Drill 

Missionary Spelldown 

Missionary. Mixup 

Motion Songs 

Museum .... 

Musical Relay 

Musical Wand 

Mystery Restaurant 

Nickel Show 
Nutty Exchange . 

Nutty Zoo .... 

One-Hand Grab . 

One-Ring Circus . 

On to Berlin 
Oratorical Duet . 

Out of the Oven . 


GAMES 123 

.27 

.46 

.116 

.87 

.52 

.32 

.47 

.114 

.11 

.113 

.106 

.16 

.53 

.71 

.35 

.115 

.40 

.41 

.26 

.34 

.25 

.23 

.80 

.35 

.18 

.19 

.19 

.35 

.114 

.94 

.53 










124 


INDEX OF GAMES 


Pageant of the Trees.107 

Palefaces and Indians.92 

Patriotic Grip.113 

Pay Hunt.S3 

Peanut Stab . . .19 

Popcorn Game.57 

Popcorn-Stringing.60 

Potato Race.64 

Prize Pumpkin.34 

Pullman Car.76 

Railroad Station.76 

Ring the Bell.24 

Search for Eggs and Animals.106 

Serious Conversations.47 

Setting up Exercises.116 

Sights in Chicago.79 

Silent Orchestra.24 

“Silly” Game.17 

Sliced Songs.23 

Spring Millinery.106 

Story-Telling.63 

Syrian Motion Game.42 

Target Practise.115 

Three Bowls.100 

Through the Holly Wreath.86 

Vegetable-Patch .108 

Visit to Lincoln Park.80 

Washday.52 

Where Does the Shamrock Grow? . . . .64 

Whirlwind.10 












Classified List of Games 


ACTIVE (See also Contests, Hunting Games, Races, 
and Stunts). 


Catching the Tarin .... 

. 39 

Don’t Step in the Flower Bed 

. 108 

Eating the Fish’s Tail .... 

. 42 

Egg Football. 

. 10 

Feather Tennis. 

. 11 

Flower Garden. 

. 107 

Harvest Scramble. 

. 58 

Health. Wealth, Happiness . 

. 99 

Investing Christmas Money . 

. 87 

Marching to Victory 

. 113 

Military Drill. 

. 115 

Missionary Mix-up .... 

. 41 

Out of the Oven. 

. 53 

Palefaces and Indians .... 

. 92 

Popcorn . 

. 57 

Whirlwind. 

. 10 

CONTESTS (See also Guessing and Writing, Hunting, 
and Race) 

Bible Spell-down. 

. 54 

Bubble-Blowing Contests 

. *11 

Bubble Volley-Ball .... 

. 11 

Christmas Candles’ Story 

. 86 

Christmas Charades .... 

. 85 


125 












126 


GAMES—CLASSIFIED 


Christmas Gifts.87 

Corn-Dropping.58 

Corn versus Beans.59 

Cupid's Darts.72 

Digging for Buried Treasure . . .92 

Dressing the Family.18 

Endurance Contest.12 

Feather Tennis.11 

Feeding the Pig.64 

Finding America.92 

Fortune Hearts.71 

Hit the Target.11 

House-Cleaning 52 

Ironing Contest.52 

Leap-Year Archery .... .47 

Lung Test.11 

Mending.53 

Missionary Spelldown.40 

Nutty Zoo.19 

One-Hand Grab.19 

On to Berlin.114 

Palefaces and Indians.92 

Peanut Stab.19 

Popcorn-Stringing .60 

Ring the Bell.24 

Silly Game.17 

Story Telling Contest.63 

Target Practise.115 

Through the Holly Wreath.86 

Washday .52 

Where Does the Shamrock Grow? . . .64 









GAMES—C LA SSI FI ED 

127 

GUESSING AND WRITING 

Corn-Guessing. 

. 59 

Corn-Judging. 

. 58 

Foolish Advertisements 

. 17 

Home-made Love-stories 

. 69 

Hunt for Nuts. 

. 60 

Hunting for Hidden Mysteries 

. 93 

Illustrated Songs. 

. 27 

Imaginary Proposals .... 

. 46 

Inspection of the Infantry 

. 116 

Pageant of Trees. 

. 107 

HUNTING 

Find a Lucky Shamrock 

. 65 

Follow the Cobweb .... 

. 70 

Hunt for Happiness .... 

. 71 

Hunt for Husbands .... 

. 46 

Pay Hunt. 

. 53 

Search for Eggs and Animals 

. 106 


INTRODUCTION AND MIXING (See also Finding 
Partners and Groups) 


Autographs and Eyes 

. 45 

Brag and Blow 

. 9 

Discovery .... 

. 91 

Getting Acquainted 

. 57 

Guessing Flowers 

. 105 

Investing Christmas Money . 

. 87 

Konfidence Korner 

. 32 

Matching Hearts 

. 16 

Patriotic Grip 

. 113 

Pullman Car .... 

. 76 

Serious Conversations . 

. 47 















128 


GAMES—CLASSIFIED 


FINDING PARTNERS AND GROUPS 

Auctioning Partners.47 

Christmas Pictures.85 

Dividing by Families.63 

Ghost Pictures and Stories.98 

Matching Bunnies.106 

Mending Broken Hearts.71 

Railroad Tickets.76 

Sliced Songs.23 

QUIET (See also Guessing and Writing) 

Art Institute.80 

Chicken Dinner.19 

Christmas Auction.87 

Hana, Kuchi, Mimi, Me.42 

Home-made Love Stories.69 

Hunting for Hidden Mysteries . . . .93 

Imaginary Proposals.46 

Motion Songs.26 

Musical Wand.23 

Silent Orchestra.24 

Spring Millinery.106 

Syrian Motion Game.42 

Vegetable-Patch.108 

Visit to Lincoln Park. 80 

RACES 

Biographical Relay.93 

Ironing Contest.52 

Liberty Loan.114 

Musical Relay.25 

Nutty Exchange.18 
















GAMES—CLASSIFIED 


129 


Potato Race.64 

Washday.52 

STUNTS 

Balloon Ascension.36 

Band.33 

Christmas Candles’ Story.86 

Christmas Charades.85 

Christmas Gifts.87 

Dining-Car.77 

Famous Ghosts.99 

Fortune-Teller.35 

Fortune-Telling.100 

Hairmonica.25 

Merry-go-round.35 

Motion Songs.26 

Museum.34 

Mystery Restaurant.80 

Nickel Show.35 

One-Ring Circus.35 

Oratorical Duet.94 

Prize Pumpkin.34 

Setting Up Exercises.116 

Sights in Chicago.79 

Three Bowls.100 









































































































































































































































